"It didn't matter whether it was the governor, the president of the United States or the lowest person on the poll," Clolinger said. "He cared about people and he cared about the community."

Bueche, 58, a former police chief and city manager for Swartz Creek, died Thursday, May 15, after a six-month battle with cancer.

Clolinger, who spoke for the family, said the two had been friends for 36 years, as they started as police officers for the Swartz Creek Police Department in the '70s.

"We knew each other so well that we'd go on a call and we knew what the other was going to do," he said.

Bueche often served in a role that put him above Clolinger and it was there, Clolinger said, that Bueche gave him the best advice he ever received.

"One of the biggest things he ever taught me is no matter what happens, always do what's right and, if you do what's right, you won't have a problem," Clolinger said. "He always stood by that."

In 1995, Bueche was named police chief for the city. Clolinger said he was a born leader, putting people in places to succeed and backing them up.

"He was an awesome leader," Clolinger said.

After serving three times as interim city manager, the Swartz Creek City Council chose to name Bueche the full-time manager in 2002, when Clolinger was named police chief.

"He had the ability to get people to do what needed to be done," Clolinger said. "Every employee ... they would tell you the same thing."

As Clolinger recalled his best friend, he said there were times he had to call Bueche for advice and, even if he didn't know the answer, he'd figure out one.

"If I called him and he didn't have an answer ... he'd research it and come back and say, 'This is what I would do,'" Clolinger said.

Bueche left as city manager in December 2013, citing health problems.

Swartz Creek Mayor David Krueger said he can recall Bueche's work as city manager.

"Paul was a friend to everybody," he said. "He tried very hard to be a friend to everybody he ever met."

Beyond that, Krueger said he brought stability and progress to the city manager position and, after he had been interim manager, the council couldn't find anyone to compete with his level of expertise.

"They looked around and did a big search and said, "We can't find anybody who is anywhere close to Paul,'" he said. "They persuaded Paul to give up being police chief and become city manager."

A viewing is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at Sharp Funeral Homes, 8138 Miller Road in Swartz Creek. A vigil is planned at 7 p.m.

His funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Monday, May 19, at St. Robert Bellermine Catholic Church, 310 N. Cherry St., in Flushing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit.